Fans clanged cowbells throughout the Erie Otters' playoff game Tuesday. And some fans threw them onto the ice as the Otters celebrated a win that sent them to the Ontario Hockey League's Western Conference finals.

The Otters had provided cowbells to fans as a giveaway and sold them as part of its merchandise line, but spokesman Aaron Cooney said the team agrees with the ban and will no longer sell the items.

Arena operator Erie Events said Wednesday the ban was intended to make "a safer environment" for everyone.